DSiWare

Shantae: Risky's Revenge (WayForward, 1200pts) – The genial genie finally returns in this highly anticipated release. The price point may seem steep, but WayForward assures us this one is packed with enough content to keep you going for ages. Our full review will be up later this week.

Rummikub (Games Factory Online, 800pts) – A handheld version of the popular tile-based board game, this game offers four player action against players who also own the game. Our review later this week will let you know if this is basic or a Grand Blitz.

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED ON NINTENDO DSI SYSTEMS

Oct. 4, 2010

From Samus Aran to Princess Zelda™, Nintendo® consoles have played host to some of the most memorable female characters in video game history. This week, a different breed of heroine makes her eagerly anticipated splash on the Nintendo DSiWare™ service. Shantae: Risky's Revenge finds the famous "half-genie" Shantae using her wits and her belly-dancing prowess in a wild new adventure that players can carry with them everywhere they go. You'll also find new additions to the WiiWare™ and Virtual Console™ services that offer more ways than ever to download a fresh dose of fun directly to your Nintendo game system.

RummikubPublisher: Games Factory OnlinePlayers: 1-4ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) Price: 800 Nintendo DSi PointsDescription: For more than 50 years, players have loved Rummikub for its combination of tactical thinking, luck and tense competition. In this new edition for the Nintendo DSiWare service, combine the tiles to create the smartest combinations and play with friends who have their own copy of Rummikub. You can also pit your wits against the computer in single-player mode at various difficulty settings. Collect all the medals Rummikub has to offer and become the world champion.

WiiWare

Racers' Islands – Crazy RacersPublisher: ZALLAGPlayers: 1-4ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon ViolencePrice: 1,000 Wii Points™Description: Six drivers are competing on a popular TV show: an English lord, a dangerous beauty from Russia, a Mexican desperado, an eccentric Frenchman, a Japanese prodigy and an American bulldozer. Whichever driver you choose, you'll have to drive and shoot simultaneously to be the first to cross the finish line. The game includes 20 different races and six thematic islands styled to look like a big amusement park. Unique game play lets you drive with one hand while aiming with the other. Discover tons of content like new items, trophies and time trials.

Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 3Publisher: Lexis NumériquePlayers: 1ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)Price: 500 Wii PointsDescription: Welcome to the world of the PooYoos, the first fun poetic brain-trainer for children ages 3 to 6. With the PooYoos, a merry band of adorable baby animals, children will have fun while learning basic development concepts such as numbers, letters, lateralization, shapes and colors. Children get to dance with their new friends and earn lovely interactive rewards. With two levels of interactivity, children can play activities based on plants and music. This game has been designed for use by children who have not yet grasped reading. The instructions are spoken in French, English or Spanish, depending on the language setting of your Wii™ console.

Virtual Console

FATAL FURY 3: ROAD TO THE FINAL VICTORYOriginal platform: NEOGEOPublisher: D4 EnterprisePlayers: 1-2ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – ViolencePrice: 900 Wii PointsDescription: Originally released in 1995, this is the fourth title in the Fatal Fury series of beat-'em-up games. Previous releases in the series used a two-plane battle system allowing you to move and fight between the foreground and background. This game features a three-plane format – foreground, background and main plane – known as the Oversway System. Characters will automatically move back to the main line after a certain period of time in the foreground or background planes. Other new features include Combination Arts (the ability to execute combo attacks with simple rhythmic button taps), Hidden Abilities (superior versions of the popular Special Moves and Super Special Moves from previous installments) and minor tweaks to all of the characters' Special Moves. As a result, this installment offers the deepest strategies and tactics in the Fatal Fury series to date.

I can't believe Shantae is FINALLY here. There for a few months I was checking every Monday for it, and was heartbroken every time. Anyways bought some points this past Friday just for this, and I'm downloading it as soon as it hits here.

@#6SuperPeach When you really think about it 12 dollars isn't all that bad considering all the content its supposed to have. It was going to be split up into 3 parts so it might actually be cheaper in the long run. Anyways I here its somewhat like the metroid games so I will give it a whirl.

I don't feel like paying $20 for a points card, spending $12, and having $8 that I'll never use or buy something I want. Saving money for the 3DS means I'll have to make sacrafices...unless there's a contest and I win. Fat chance.

Fatal fury 3 is ok. Real Bout 1 and special are the best ones while Real Bout 2 is unbalanced. Fatal Fury 3 is part of the new generation of heavyweight neo-geo games so its good to see that its moved into that era.

So very very VERY happy Shantae is out. I've been wanting a decent DS platformer that isn't a Mario game for awhile. I know I should play GBC original before Risky's Revenge, but I don't really want to wait. Anyone think that is a bad idea?

@JumpMad I pretty sure it is the other way around. You unlocked stuff in Mighty Flip Champs, the only other WayForward DSiWare game, by playing Shantae

Well, Shantae finally came out which is awesome. Of course, I don't have a DSi, which is why I'm perfectly fit to complain~! Just kidding, even though I don't want this week's VC, its appearance has still appeased me.

@Tsuchinoko: Sorry, but even the most dedicated fans have commitments. I'm just glad I had my classes end before noon this semester.

Now, without furhter ado... NintendoLife, it's...

CHOOSE GRAVES' FANBOYISMS!!!

For your viewing pleasure, I'm allowing you all to pick my response to today's God blessed day, this, the release of Shantae: Risky's Revenge for DSiWare. If you don't download it, you may technically be on the Amrica's Most Wanted list. So, let us begin!

@MysticX I admit it make sense, but I never read anything about MFC unlocking stuff in Shantae. I only heard about unlocking something in MFC through Shantae via the newsletter. IGN does insinuate that you can unlocking stuff with other DSiWare games, but WayForward only has one other game on the service (MFC). So either IGN got its facts mixed up (which isn't a stretch) or WayForward let slip some info (like extra unlockables and/or another game) that we haven't heard about yet. If there are hidden unlockables, we are bound to hear about it before the week is out.

@JesusSaves I understand how you feel, but WayForward started this series on a handheld console. Originally, Risky's Revenge was originally developed for the GBA, then was moved to the DS. It just makes sense that is was released as a DSiWare title. Making it a WiiWare title would have only increased development time and probably raised the price higher then it is. To be honest, one of the major factors in me breaking down and getting a DSi XL was this game (and the larger screen).

It's sad that some people don't appreciate indie companies because they only release their games through download services. Can't they understand that if a company like WayForward gives Shantae RR a retail release and no one buys it, then they'll end up bankrupt.

@zkaplan: I was hoping for Final Fantasy Mystic Quest on VC, and we got this stupid fighting game instead. Now I have to wait another two weeks minimum...

I downloaded Shantae, and it now holds the new personal record for largest DSiWare title at 128 blocks. Also, one of the screenshots in the shop looked like it had a map displaying on the bottom screen. I hope that's an option, since my #1 complaint with the original game is "no maps." Now to play and find out...

That being said, Wayforward is becoming one of my favorite developers. Thank you for giving us an honest price point and not trying to trick consumers with lower priced pieces of games as "episodes." The informed video game consumer thanks you.

@Bass_X0: That'd be pretty darn cool, but since I own the GBC version, I probably won't be gushing week after week like I did this one.

@billy-beauts: I wish! My own game company, create tons of fun for gamers... maybe one day I'll be the Mark Bozon of the EAST coast!

in all seriousness, while I highly anticipated Shantae, and it has met and exceeded my expectations thus far, I think in my case it became a matter of not knowing when it would be out. We get bigger games like Kirby's Epic Yarn, Goldeneye, and Golden Sun, but those have definate release dates, so I'll be less vocal about it. Something like Shantae, whose release was so in the dark, put my anticipation into overdrive.

If I irritated anyone during my tenure here thus far, I do apologize. And I hope I haven't spoiled any fun for Shantae owners/hopefuls out there.

I just got home from work and downloaded Shantae The excitment has built for so long! What really stinks though, is I had maybe an hour or two sleep at the most last night, so I am probably gonna nap before I even play the game...im THAT out of it, at the moment. I am just so freaking excited it's finally arrived!

HOLY RUMMIKUB!!!! RUMMIKUB RUMMIKUB RUMMIKUB!!! I LOOOOOOOOOOVVEEEEEEEEEE RUMMIKUB!!! This update is soo awesome! We even got a VC release to boot (not that I care about that game)! Why is the DSi ware soo much better than the wii ware crap!?! HUH!? WHY DOES THE WIIWARE HAVE TO SUCK SO BAD!? God this week is aweful now!!!!

@MasterGraveheartI guess its a good thing I live in America and not Amrica then so I don't have to worry about being on their most wanted list! I mean, I'd love to get that game but I'd have to get a DSi or wait to download it on the 3DS once I have monnies.

I've put a little over an hour into Risky's Revenge thus far, and I can safely say it is 1000% better than the original Shantae. The controls are far smoother, the difficulty is MUCH more reasonable (meaning people who only love crazy hard games may be disappointed), and it has a map. Granted, the map isn't terribly detailed and doesn't cover dungeons at all, but it's still a huge improvement.

Better yet, it appears thus far that it really doesn't matter very much if you've never played the original, story-wise. I'm the kind of guy who tends to obsess over those kinds of details, so if I tell you it's "story-safe" to skip straight to the sequel, it definitely is.

Now, if WayForward wants to remake the original, I won't say no, provided it becomes much more like this one. But honestly, I'm not sure I could really recommend the original to someone who starts with the sequel.

Anyway, in short: Risky's Revenge is awesome. Buy it. If you're not in North America, buy it when it releases (hopefully soon).

1200 points is too expensive, and Nintendo is way too idiotic to ever run sales on anything, so it looks like I ignore the fact that Nintendo even has a downloadable game service yet again.

I wish I could get back all the money I've spent on DSiWare and WiiWare...I seriously don't ever play any of the games. Rytmik was cool, and FF4 TAY, despite ludicrous overpricing, was fun. That's it. Every other game in either service has been under an hour of entertainment, then pushed into the deep recesses of my SD card and never played again.

/goes and fires up MM10, which was purchased for a reasonable price on PSN, again

@Swerd_Murd If you include sale prices, then yes you will always get it cheaper. I'm just saying that normally, they cost the same amount.

Not trying to start anything, but why would you come here only to complain about *Ware and then say PSN is better? If you don't care for *Ware, then that is your prerogative. The rest of us are happy with what is on the service this week.

I DL'd Shantae on a whim, even though the 1300 points I had was for those nifty GG and Go series games, whenever they start releasing more in America. So far, music and graphics make it a good purchase, but only time will tell if I'm gonna regret picking it up (1200 points is alot - and I've never heard of the game before).

@Swerd: I definitely understand the viewpoint that $12 is a lot for a DSiWare game, but this truly is no ordinary DSiWare game. It's actually worth it...really!

Don't get me wrong here; in general, I agree with you on the pricing on Nintendo's download services. The lack of sales is a huge problem, only made worse by the lack of decent storage (SO glad the 3DS is fixing THAT problem correctly). I don't download on Nintendo often at all...pretty much just for the must-have VC games, so pretty much once per quarter at this point ()...but Shantae was a must-have exception to the rule.

Shantae needs to come out on Wiiware, PSN/XBLA, or Steam/Direct2Drive/Impulse/Gamersgate. Dang it Wayforward; put this amazing game on a digital storefront that gamers actually use!?! So we can play this on our tvs or monitors, like "faux retro" games are meant to be played. Say, Mega man 9/10, La Mulana or Cave Story.

You guys are just lucky I got my mom a DSi XL for her birthday months ago. So I'll download the hell out of Shantae (actually, I already did this morning), and enjoy it 'cuz it's awesome, but I'm telling you guys -- put this thing on a REAL storefront and I'll gladly buy it again. And probably gift it to a few friends too.

@Vinsanity: I don't think we'll see Shantae off of a Nintendo console. WayForward kind of has a way with retro-style gaming and Nintendo is the pinnicle of that. As much as we love her, I especially, I don't think the XBLA or PSN or otherwise crowd would appriciate it so much and Shantae is meant to be LOVED!

I would, however, endorse an enhanced port to WiiWare or even a remake of the original on WiiWare.

@MasterGraveheart I agree with you. Shantae would probably be overlooked on PSN/XBLA/Steam/etc. Not to mention the fact that the game would have to be recoded to work on those systems. I say we should be happy we got a sequel at all.

I do like the idea of a Wii-make of the original game for WiiWare. They could add a Metroid-esc map system that the game (and the sequal) badly need. And you would have to dance with the WiiMote to make Shanae dance!!! ..... Actually scrap that last one.

@LuWiiGi Thank you. I've been reading reviews (and the many comments which follow) on NL for a few months now but just decided to make an account and post today.

Anyway, yes, I know PooYoos is for kids but I don't know of any parents (I don't know any gamer parents) who know how to operate the Virtual Shop. I could see a 5 year old being able to do it if it weren't for the credit card step.

I'm just looking for something in my demographic...early twenties.I don't think it's right for me to have an interest in <10% of what's offered then after reading reviews or playing those, only being satisfied with about 6%.

Also, I don't really have the money to keep up with more than one current-gen system. I may check out the DSi when I have more money or I could just wait until the 3DS.

Metal Slug 2 suffered greatly from lag, so they remade it later as Metal Slug X, which is far better. The NEO GEO's a pretty good maching, and most games don't lag. You just got unlucky and bought the worst case. Fatal Fury 3 is a pretty good game, regardless of the machine it's on, so no need to condemn it just because some completely unrelated game didn't work out for ya.

@Stuffgamer1 While lame, it still happens with games today. Don't think they should have put it on VC, but they probably only cared about the money people would pay to get it and then on Metal Slug X to play it without issues.

I'm well aware that games are still released with frame rate issues and the like; I simply wish that the VC could've been a service to run games as they were MEANT to be run instead of sticking to the original so blindly. Or they could've at LEAST skipped Metal Slug 2 and gone straight to X, seeing as the issues with the game were huge enough to warrant fixing YEARS AGO!